Empire Conquest
Chapter 226 - 222: Making a Comeback

Chapter 226: Chapter 222: Making a Comeback

January 12th, just before dawn, Puzhou Harbor.

According to instructions, the Heng River did not sound its steam whistle upon departure but instead sent a farewell signal with lights to the several barges seeing it off.

Outside the harbor, four destroyers from the Domestic Fleet had already taken their positions.

At the floating dock, workers were busy pulling up curtains several dozen meters high in order to conceal a large oil tanker replacing the Heng River before dawn arrived. Over the next few days, workers would piece together a flight deck on top of the tanker using black wooden boards and construct a superstructure. Once everything was ready, they would remove part of the curtains to show that a "carrier" was undergoing comprehensive repairs inside the dock.

All this was done to make the outside world, especially the spies lurking in Puzhou, believe that the maintenance of the Heng River would take a long time.

The key was to make the Saiyi Navy believe that this carrier was still in Puzhou.

These arrangements were made by Bai Zhizhan, some of which were conceived by Zhou Yongtao. Indeed, Zhou Yongtao had quite a few clever ideas.

Fundamentally, it was because the military force was too weak.

This time, there was only one carrier!

Not to mention four, if there had been two carriers, Bai Zhizhan would have dared to directly attack Tuk Fortress without all these troubles.

In fact, according to the original plan, there should have been two carriers at this time, most likely under Bai Zhizhan’s command attacking Tuk Fortress.

A little over two days ago, in the early hours of January 10th, upon receiving a call from Bai Zhizhan, Liu Changxun didn’t think twice before agreeing, telling Bai Zhizhan not to hesitate and to just go ahead without looking back; he would take responsibility for any issues.

The next day, the Navy headquarter sent even more good news.

Liu Changxun had approved the inclusion of two Xu Sea-class ships into the Heng River battle group and the formation of the First Special Mixed Fleet with Bai Zhizhan as the commander.

Mast Harbor soon sent a message that the Domestic Fleet would dispatch two squads of heavy cruisers to support Bai Zhizhan, including four Wuzhou-class led by Wei Jun.

These were the "strongest under the treaty" heavy cruisers.

As for the "First Special Mixed Fleet," this number was actually a bit of a bargain for Bai Zhizhan, marking the first time a fleet number was assigned according to the new organizational system after the reforms.

When the battle at Liuhuang Island started, the Special Mixed Group led by Liu Xiangzhen would be temporarily constituted as the Second Special Mixed Fleet.

The main issue was how to allocate the new numbers, which the Navy headquarter had not yet finalized.

As expected, the division would still be based on directions, for example, fleets on the East Ocean side using odd numbers and fleets on the Fan Flame Ocean side using even numbers.

Additionally, the Domestic Fleet would send four light cruisers and eight destroyers.

If needed, they could also provide the fleet oiler that was previously part of the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet but was later detained at Mast Harbor and is currently still under the control of the Domestic Fleet.

In Gui Boyong’s words, whatever Bai Zhizhan needed, the Domestic Fleet would provide.

The crucial message came from Li Yunxiang.

He personally called Bai Zhizhan to inform him that the First Special Mixed Fleet would be supplemented with a batch of the most advanced ship-borne aircraft, all to be manned by pilots from the First Aviation Mixed Fleet.

This arrangement was something Li Yunxiang had fought for Bai Zhizhan.

In fact, it wasn’t much trouble at all.

After Bai Zhizhan left the Imperial Capital, not only was Li Yunxiang not marginalized, but he was also promoted to the director of Aviation Operations and entrusted with important responsibilities.

Actually, it was an effort to retain him.

Just a few days earlier, when Li Yunxiang was about to confront Liu Changxun, he learned from him that Bai Zhizhan was about to lead a fleet into battle.

For this reason, he decided to stay on a little longer, more precisely until Bai Zhizhan’s triumphant return.

Regardless, Li Yunxiang was truly supportive.

In fact, the shipyard workers were no different.

Although Bai Zhizhan and Zhou Yongtao were very proactive and busy on site, upon learning that the Navy urgently needed this carrier to annihilate the Saiyi Permanent Fleet, thousands of workers did not hesitate, none of them mentioned overtime pay, and all voluntarily stayed to participate in the repair work.

Some skilled workers even worked continuously for two days and two nights, simply finding a place to sleep on the carrier when tired.

Otherwise, it would not have been possible to reduce the originally planned three days of maintenance time to two days.

For this, Bai Zhizhan was also very moved.

In fact, there was no other choice.

On January 10, the day the repairs on the "Heng River" began, Li Qing commanded the Armored Forces that launched a surprise attack from the east route to reach the outskirts of Buju.

The route of retreat was cut off, and the Saiyi front-line army completely collapsed.

The next day, the main force of the Armored Forces commanded by Lian Xusheng arrived from the west route to the outskirts of Buju.

Both forces joined that day and completed the encirclement of Buju.

On January 11, which is yesterday, the Marine Corps that landed on Jeju Island captured the crucial airport and completed the construction of a temporary dock.

Just a few hours later, dozens of Navy ship-borne aircraft landed at the airport.

Key point being, all these ship-borne aircraft adopted the Special Mixed Group’s paint scheme, and all pilots were ordered to use the Special Mixed Group’s unit number.

In short, they were impersonating the Special Mixed Group’s ship-borne aircraft.

According to the plan, starting from the morning of the 12th, these ship-borne aircraft deployed on Jeju Island would launch, bombing the military facilities in the western region of the Saiyi home territory. This would make the Saiyi Navy believe that the Special Mixed Group was still active in the Xu Sea and that it would soon assist the Army in attacking Saiyi’s home territory.

Although such lowly tactics would not have good effects and would not last long, they could deceive the Saiyi Navy for a few days.

If all went smoothly, in the early hours of the 12th, which is now, the Special Mixed Group would speed southward.

Since there was no need to consider repairing battleships, the Special Mixed Group would definitely enter the West East Ocean before the First Special Mixed Fleet and be the first to enter the battlefield.

Of course, that was nothing new.

According to the plan, or more precisely, an idea proposed by Bai Zhizhan, the Special Mixed Group would act as bait this time.

As long as the Saiyi Navy was fooled into letting Lan Yun lead the Permanent Fleet to attack the Special Mixed Group, Bai Zhizhan would then lead the First Special Mixed Fleet to intercept them midway.

How exactly to fight, Bai Zhizhan had not yet decided.

Otherwise, it would not be called an idea.

Before boarding the "Heng River," Bai Zhizhan made one last phone call to inquire with Zheng Jiangming, and the reply was that the Permanent Fleet was still at Tuk Fortress.

Additionally, the Commander of the Newland Federation’s East Ocean Fleet had already arrived at Honu Island.

If nothing unexpected happened, the two fleet carriers would arrive by the 15th, and the Newland Navy’s East Ocean Fleet would then have a total of five fleet carriers.

It must be said, their combat power had already surpassed that of the Imperial Navy.

Even counting the "Heng River," the Imperial Navy only had five fleet carriers now.

However, there was no need to worry temporarily.

Even though the President of the Newland Federation had already decided to go to war and had immediately ordered the fleet to deploy, it would not reach the West East Ocean until the end of January. The voyage alone took half a month, not to mention considering supplies and maintenance, as well as the accommodation of officers and soldiers, whether to transport materials and equipment to the front line, etc.

Before that, the Newland Federation would certainly not disgrace itself.

As for those few warships deployed at Guan Island and in Nanzhu Country, let alone a fleet, the shore-based air force could handle them.

Regardless, the pressing matter was to annihilate Lan Yun’s commanded Permanent Fleet and assist Liu Xiangzhen in taking Liuhuang Island, opening the door to victory.